Tumble Dryer Buying Guide

Here at Appliances Direct, we want you to make an informed decision before purchasing with us. That is why we have supplied you with a Tumble Dryers buying guide to help you make that decision. We want to make sure we supply you with as much information as possible so that you have a better understanding of the appliance you are about to buy. A Tumble Dryer is an investment for your household so you want to be sure you are choosing the correct one to fulfil your needs and budget.

Choosing Your Tumble Dryer

Most Tumble Dryers are usually the same size and will normally dry a similar weight in clothes to their partner the washing machine, so for example it would be around 6KG dry weight for cotton clothing or 2.5KG for synthetics. And don’t worry if you’re lacking in the floor space needed for the dryer as you can either stack it on top of the washing machine or put it in a spare room or garage. And don’t forget to always measure the space where you want to put the appliance first to make sure it will fit and that you can access it without being restricted.

Energy Efficiency

Every tumble dryer will have an energy efficiency rating from A++ down to G. A++ is the best energy rating to have. Tumble dryers do cost more to run than washing machines but there are things you can do to help you keep your costs down like not overloading the dryer with too many clothes or drying similar fabrics together to avoid unnecessary drying times. Another way of reducing your costs is by buying a heat pump condenser; this will help you use less energy. Some tumble dryers have a built in sensor which will cut out the dryer and its heat when the load is dry. These machines usually cost a little bit more to buy but will save you money on running costs in the long run. And of course there is the good old way of saving money by only using the dryer at night when electricity costs are lower.

Which Type to Buy?

There are two different types of tumble dryer for you to choose from, a vented dryer or a condenser dryer. Vented machines takes damp air made in the drying process and takes it outside the home using a plastic hose, this is to prevent condensation. You can have either a permanent vent fitted to the outside of your house or you can just dangle the hose out of a window when in use. Vented tumble dryers are cheaper to run than condensers as they use less energy but they have to be installed next to a window or outside wall which is not always possible, especially if you live in an apartment.

A condenser dryer separates the water from the moist air into a container which you have to empty after the drying process or it can be pumped out of the washing machine plumbing. Condenser dryers tend to be a little bit more expensive than the vented dryers but they are more convenient. Some of the more expensive models will come with a built in heat pump which will help to keep the running costs of the machine down, therefore the energy rating is higher. You can install a condenser dryer in near enough any room as long as it is well ventilated.

Installation

Before installation, all delivery straps must be removed, these are usually on the back of the tumble dryer. And make sure your dryer is levelled before installation too; you can do this by rotating the feet underneath the machine to the right height. If you are planning to install the machine yourself, and then make sure you use the full instruction manual. Also take care that you don’t squash or twist the vent hose (on vented dryers only) as the dryer is pushed back in to place. If you don’t fancy fitting the tumble dryer yourself then no need to worry. Here at Appliances Direct we offer a full installation service for just £19! That includes positioning the appliance in a room of your choice, disconnecting the old appliance, installation of the new appliance to an existing point, testing it to make sure all is working correctly and removal of all packaging. And for an extra £14 we will also take your old appliance away and recycle it safely. Don’t forget it’s very difficult to have your old appliance taken away by the council or at your local tip so this is the easiest and most cost effective way to ‘get rid’.

Delivery

We have a large range of tumble dryers in stock for next day delivery. Our standard delivery usually takes 3 working days but you can pay an extra small fee if you wish for your delivery to be with you the next day or on a Saturday. All our deliveries are completed by a two man team to ensure that the delivery gets to you as safely as possible. You will receive a call from our delivery drivers on the day of delivery to give you an estimated time that they will be with you. When the tumble dryer is delivered, our delivery drivers will unpack the dryer for you so you can inspect it and they will remove all the packaging from your home.